Boat hull



P. WETCH BOAT HULL April 1, Y1930.

Filed June ll, 1929 Patented pr. 1, 1930 FICE PAUL WETCH, on WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS BOAT HULL Application led J'une 11, 1929. Serial No. 370,119.

My invention relates to hulls of boats and more particularly of motor boats, wherein the bottom of the hull is made with a step to reduce the frictional areaof the boat with the water, and my main object is to design the step in sections, some of which may be collapsed to further reduce such frictional area.

A further obj ect of the invention is to construct the collapsible sections of the step in o hinged relation to the hull bottom, whereby to change the position of the collapsible sections gradually.

A still further object of the invention is to use lever means for the manipulation of the collapsible sections.

A final but nevertheless important obj ect of the invention is to construct the novel step of few and simple parts which may be operated with ease.

With the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a typical boat hull, showing the movable sections of the step collapsed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the said f) sections projected or in normal positions;

Figs. 3 and 4 are, respectively, sections on the lines 3-3 and %4 of Figs. 1 and 2; and

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Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Figs. l

3 and 4, showing a modification.

Referring specifically to the drawing, it is seen that the boat hull 1K0 is made with the usual step 11, the same having a frontal transverse reinforcement 12 and longitudinal reinforcements 13, the latter being preferably perforated as indicated at 13a-to permit the passage of water and air and therefore lessen the resistance of the craft to the same. Instead of having the step 11 extend in a single body from side to side, I choose to divide the same in the main embodiment into two laterally-spaced sections, as more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. Between the sections of the step Iinsert a separate filler section 14 of similar design, except that instead of being rigid, the section 14 is hinged to the cross member 12 as indicated at 15, so thatv it may rise as in Figures 1 and 3 or dropl to the level of the step 11, as per Figures 2 and 4. In the latter event, the limit of motion is provided by tonguesfi which extend laterally from the section 14 to abut the sections 11, as clearly shown in Figure 4, so that the three sections are even and to all intents andpurposes the step is inthe conventional or normal form.

The full step, as was last mentioned,y is of advantage when the craft is stationary or is set 1n motion; however, when speed is being gained, the lifting of the section 14 of the step removes a corresponding frictional area from contact with the water enabling the craft to gain in its progress and show better speed. When it is considered thatv a comparatively small gain in speed is of advantage during contests of speed boats or when a boat is compared for purposes of sale, the fact that I am able to improve ythe performance of the b'oatby the novel change in construction is of vital importance.

For the purpose of raising or lowering the movable section 14, I have chosen a simple lever 17 pivoted at 18 to the hull and operating al link 19 which is connected to the section, a rack 2O serving to station the lever at chosen points. This is but one means of controlling the step section, and Ido not wish to limit myself thereto as various other means may be employed for the purpose.

The drawing also shows the tail portion 21 of the hullprovided with a movable insert or filler 22, which is operated in the same manner as the stepfiller at the front.l This application is illustrated to show that I can employ the same principle at both ends of the hull to reduce friction thereat. In case V the division of the step into but two sections Yis objectionable, such as where the width is excessive, the step may be divided into several sections, as shown in Figure 5, the movable sections 14 being arranged therebetween and operated along the same lines as in thev main embodiment. Figure 5 lshows the movable sections collapsed similarly to the showing in Figure 3, and it will be seen that in case of a wide hull, the sections of the step may be n no' made` more firm by this modification. Also, a greater cumulative area of the step may be collapsed from friction With the Water.

It will be seen that my improvement is one of extreme simplicity and can be made with sucient strength to operate with efciency and durability for long periods. By proper control, the boat may be kput vunder way with the full step and tail supported on the Water, and to gain speed the movable sections of these parts may be gradually collapsed unt-ii the boat rides on the minimum area of its bottom consistent with safety.

l. A step for boat hulls having a section =collapsib1e 'toward the hull, and intercepting stop means for saidsection 'carried bythe hull -andarranged outwardly of s'aidsection afnd'in the p'a'th thereof, said section yproviding a transverse air and Water passage vacross the bottom of the hull.

y2. As'tep forboat hulls composed'of laterally rouped sectionsfsome o-f'these being collapsible to reduce the'eontact area ofthe step V With the Water surface, linea-l vsupports for the non-collapsible sections, and said supports having transverse -a-i-r and rivvater Lpass'age openings therethrough..`

3, A step or boat hulls including a section horizontal-ly hin-ged at the `fron-t and collapsible toward the hull, rigid stop portions 'carried by the hull, and arranged to intercept said movable section to limit outvvard 'movement thereof.

4.A step Vfor boat hulls including a sec tion horizontally vhinged at the front and collapsible toward the hull, and meansfto ad- Vjust the hinged section at different points vrin its swing, rigid stop portions 4carried 'by the hull, and arranged :to interceptsaid movable .sect-ion to limit outward movement thereof.

, In rtestil-nony whereof I aiiX my signature.

Y Y V'PAUL WETCH. 

